Big Apple Circus filed for bankruptcy after several years of declining interest, following the failure of a last-ditch fundraising drive, Reuters reported yesterday. The nonprofit circus sought chapter 11 protection from creditors on Sunday from the U.S. bankruptcy court in Manhattan, four months after cancelling its 2016-17 season. In a court filing, Executive Director Will Weiss said that the circus plans to sell its equipment, as well as its storage and training facilities in Walden, N.Y., with the hope a new owner with greater resources can restart the one-ring show. Weiss also hopes to find non-profits to run community programs serving hospitals, nursing homes and schools, including "Clown Care" for seriously ill children in hospitals. Big Apple Circus reported $3.8 million in assets and debts of $8.3 million.
